Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a tendinous structure that connects the heel to the toes, and this tissue can become torn or inflamed, causing pain to the region. This is most common in people who spend a lot of time standing. It affects 1 in 10 people in their lifetime.

Current Treatment

Wearing supportive shoes and stretching the calf and toes can help prevent plantar fasciitis pain. Many cases of plantar fasciitis are treated with ice, rest, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. More severe cases may need corticosteroid injections or other more invasive treatments, such as shock wave treatments. Roughly 90% of plantar fasciitis patients are able to resolve their symptoms with these techniques, but a plantar fascia release or other surgeries are considered in the remaining patients.

Focused Ultrasound Treatment

Recent work by Guided Therapy Systems has expanded to include musculoskeletal treatments. Their Intense Therapeutic Ultrasound tool is approximately the size of an electric razor with a circular head that emits focused ultrasound. The beam is aimed so that it focuses at a pre-determined distance beneath the skin.

In a recent double-blinded, sham controlled study done with the University of Arizona, 27 treated patients were compared to 11 sham controls. Treatments occurred two weeks apart, and at 12 weeks of treatment, there was a positive response in 81% of the patients treated.